Therapeutic mattress

ABSTRACT

A mattress for cushioning the body of a user that is economical to implement for the prevention, reduction and healing of decubitus ulcers and associated injuries. The mattress of the present invention provides a plurality of support to areas of the body of a user, as critical support areas and utilizes a plurality of voids, as air pouches, in non-critical support areas such as the back the back of the head and shoulders, the tailbone region, arms, elbows, hips, heels and feet, thereby to prevent, reduce and heal decubitus ulcers. In the preferred embodiment, the mattress is comprised wholly of fire-retardant, anti-microbial, variable density foam.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional applicationentitled, “THERAPEUTIC MATTRESS,” having Ser. No. 60/756,988, filed Jan.6, 2006, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to a mattress, and moreparticularly is related to a therapeutic mattress used as a bed or acushion which reduces pressure and compression forces for non-criticalsupport areas.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Decubitus ulcers, pressure ulcers, pressure sores, bedsores, or otherlocalized tissue damage are risks for persons who are otherwise immobileor bedridden, or left to sit or lie in one position for a period oftime. These injuries are at greatest risk to occur in the bony areas ofthe body, including the back of the head and shoulders, the tailboneregion, arms, elbows, hips, heels and feet. The sores can occur withminimal pressure and compression forces, rubbing or friction that causesthe deprivation of oxygen and nutrients to tissue, causing the formationof such sores. In some instances, these sores begin as minor skinirritations that are simply exacerbated by the compression, heat andmoisture created by the body's weight and the mattress. These injuriescan occur in persons of all ages during times of prolonged illness orimmobility. The elderly are especially at risk because of the increasedlikelihood of debilitating medical condition with immobility. Thedevelopment of these sores can lead to serious infection, which in somecases become life threatening.

The good news is that these injuries are preventable and such sores dooccur, they do not have to get worse. Bedding or other cushioning thatreduces or relieves compression effectively addresses the skin'svulnerability to injury. A variety of bedding and cushion arrangementshave been proposed to reduce and relieve compression while in use.Generally these bedding and cushioning options include alternate designmattresses, foam, gel, or low pressure inflatable overlays, which lie ontop of a regular mattress, or alternating pressure mattresses. However,these bedding and cushioning options are often expensive to implementand have not fully addressed the continuing problem of decubitus ulcersand associated injuries. Therefore, there remains an unaddressed need toaddress these deficiencies and inadequacies. The present invention ismade in consideration of these identified circumstances and it is anobject thereof to provide a mattress, as bedding or cushioning, which iseconomical to implement for the prevention, reduction and healing ofdecubitus ulcers and associated injuries.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The mattress of the present invention has a structure that provides aplurality of support to areas of the body of a user, as critical supportareas and utilizes a plurality of voids, as air pouches, in non-criticalsupport areas such as the back of the head and shoulders, the tailboneregion, arms, elbows, hips, heels and feet, thereby to prevent, reduceand heal decubitus ulcers. In the preferred embodiment, the mattress iscomprised wholly fire-retardant, anti-microbial, variable density foam.The preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes angularshapes in modular sections for the gradual support maximization in thecritical support areas and reduction of pressure and compression forcein the non critical support areas. Other systems, methods, features andadvantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to onewith skill in the art upon examination of the incorporated drawings anddetailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems,methods, features and advantages be included within this description, bewithin the scope of the present invention, and be protected by theaccompanying claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Man aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference tothe following drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the inventionand, together with the description and claims, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention. The components in the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout several views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, having the top layer and the critical support layer;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the critical support layer of thepreferred embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the critical support layer of the preferredembodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention, having the top layer, critical support layer and bottomlayer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

It is a principle object of the present invention to provide a mattressthat is economical to implement for the prevention, reduction andhealing of decubitus ulcers and associated injuries. More particularly,it is a principle object of the present invention to provide atherapeutic mattress which provides a plurality of support to areas ofthe body of a user, as critical support areas and utilizes a pluralityof voids, as air pouches, in non-critical support areas such as the backthe back of the head and shoulders, the tailbone region, arms, elbows,hips, heels and feet, thereby to prevent, reduce and heal decubitusulcers.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a therapeutic mattress 10 of the presentinvention is shown. To achieve the object of providing an economicalmattress for the prevention, reduction and healing of decubitus ulcersand associated injuries, the mattress 10 of the present invention has atop layer 12 and a critical support layer 14, providing pressure andcompression force reduction in non critical structure support areas.More specifically, and referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention is a therapeutic mattress 10 includes foam toplayer 12, which has is substantially rectangular shape as a one piececonstruction. This top layer 12 has a substantially continuous perimetercomprised of end walls 16, 18 and sidewalls 20, 22. Additionally, thetop layer 12 has a foundation body 24 with a downwardly-facing bottomsurface 26. The top layer 12 has dimensions similar to any commerciallyavailable single user mattress, including any single user mattress usedby the medical community. In the preferred embodiment 10 of FIG. 1, thebottom surface 26 of the foundation body 24 comprising the top layer 12is approximately 80 inches long as the horizontal length of the sidewalls 20, 22 and 36 inches wide as the horizontal length of the endwalls 16, 18. The thickness of the foundation body 24 comprising the toplayer 12 is dependent on actual use and can range from 0 inches to 8inches, but is preferably approximately 2 inches. The top layer 12 ispreferably comprised of durable, fire-retardant, anti-microbial foam,but it is conceived that another material capable of providing supportto a user could be utilized in construction. The density of the foam ofthe top layer 12 is dependent on expected and actual use and can rangefrom 1.0 lb. per cubic foot density foam to 5.8 lb. per cubic footdensity foam, but is preferably approximately 1.8 lb. per cubic footdensity foam. The top layer 12 has an upwardly-facing top surface, withcontour which is preferably smooth, but may be of any of slashed,smooth, egg crate or any other design known in the industry.

The top layer 12 is in combination with the critical support layer 14 toform the mattress 10. Referring now to FIG. 5, it is also envisionedthat in an alternate embodiment, a base layer 80 could be fixed firmlywith direct contact with the critical support layer 14, as anintermediate layer in direct contact with the top layer 12, to form themattress 10. In yet additional alternate embodiments, not represented bydrawings, the mattress of the present invention could be made withsolely a base layer 80 and the critical support layer 14, as disclosedor solely the critical support layer 14. The thickness of the base layer80 is dependent on actual use and can range from 0 inches to 8 inches,but is preferably approximately 2 inches. The base layer 80 ispreferably comprised of durable, fire-retardant, anti-microbial foam,but it is conceived that another material capable of providing supportto a user could be utilized in construction. In the preferred embodimentof FIG. 1 and the alternate embodiment of FIG. 5, the mattress 10 isoptionally encased in a removable waterproof and anti-microbial cover.

As shown in FIG. 4, the critical support layer 14 is fixed firmly withdirect contact to the bottom surface 26 of the foundation body 24 with ameans sufficient to prevent or reduce shifting between the criticalsupport layer 14 and the top layer 12, after they have been aligned. Theaffixing of the critical support layer 14 to the bottom surface 26 ofthe foundation body 24 can occur by numerous means, including bondingduring construction process by an adhesive agent known in the industry.Alignment between the critical support layer 14 and the top layer 12results when the critical support layer 14 is substantially configuredto the dimensions of the top layer 12. Additionally, it is conceivedthat the top layer 12 and the critical support layer 14 could be aunified piece, wherein the detail of the critical support layer 14 ismade by cuts during the construction process.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the critical support layer 14 is furthercomprised of a plurality of support zones 28, 30, 32, which providesupport to the body of a user. The support zones 28, 30, 32 can actindependent or in concert. The support zones 28, 30, 32 are preferablycomprised of durable, fire-retardant, anti-microbial foam, but it isconceived that another material capable of providing support to a usercould be utilized in construction. The density of the foam of thesupport zones 28, 30, 32 is dependent on expected and actual use and canrange from 1.0 lb. per cubic foot density foam to 5.8 lb. per cubic footdensity foam, but is preferably approximately 1.8 lb. per cubic footdensity foam. The foam density of the top layer 12 and the support zones14 do not need to be the same. Additionally, the foam density need notbe uniform in any or all or support zones 28, 30 and 32. Support zones28, 30 and 32 are comprised of angular shapes to achieve criticalsupport. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, theseshapes are substantially formed to triangles, squares and rectangles,however the present invention conceives that any angular shape can beimplemented with the zone configuration for proper support to criticalareas and creation of the pressure and compression force reduction zonesin non-critical support areas. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper surfaces 28a, 30 a, 32 a of the support zones 28, 30, 32 have contour, which ispreferably smooth, but may be any of slashed, smooth, egg crate or anyother design known in the industry.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, support zone 28 allows for gradualsupport with compression and pressure reduction to the back of the headand shoulders. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3, support zone 28 iscomprised of a plurality of substantially formed triangles 34, 36, 38and substantially formed squares 40, 42, 44, 46, 48. There is norequirement in the present invention that any of the substantiallyformed triangles 34, 36, 38 or the substantially formed squares 40, 42,44, 46, 48 have identical dimension. The substantially formed triangles34, 36, 38 and the substantially formed squares 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 mayact independent or in concert. The thickness of these substantiallyformed triangles 34, 36, 38 and substantially formed squares 40, 42, 44,46, 48, as vertical height of each individual identified angular shapes,is determined by need of actual use and can range from approximately 1inch to 6 inches, but is preferably approximately 4 inches. Thethickness of each substantially formed triangles 34, 36, 38 andsubstantially formed squares 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, does not need to be thesame. Referring now to FIG. 3, the substantially formed triangles 34, 36are in approximate mirror opposite placement along the substantialcenter axis 50 of the critical support layer 14. While the dimensions ofthe sides of each substantially formed triangle 34, 36 vary widely in arange 6 inches to 20 inches, with specified measurement dependent onactual use, in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3 the side wall 34 a, 36a of each of the substantially formed triangles 34, 36 has a length ofapproximately 16 inches and a top wall 35 b, 36 b length ofapproximately 16 inches. The substantially formed triangle 38 isdivisibly placed along the substantial center axis 50. The dimensions ofthe substantially formed triangle 38 vary widely in a range 6 inches to20 inches per side, with specified measurement dependent on actual use.In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3, the substantially formed triangle38 has substantially equal sides 38 a, 38 b each measuring a length ofapproximately 16 inches, with side 38 c approximately divided in half bythe substantial center axis 50. The dimensions of the substantiallyformed squares 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 of the support zone 28 vary in a range1 inch to 6 inches per side, with specified measurement dependent onactual use. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3, the substantiallyformed squares 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 of the support zone 28 each measureapproximately 4 inches square, with mirror opposite placement along thesubstantial center axis 50 of the critical support layer 14. Thesubstantially formed square 48 is placed divisibly along the center axis50. The substantially formed squares 40, 46 are in mirror oppositeplacement along the substantial center axis 50 of the critical supportlayer 14 in proximity to side walls the critical support layer 14 andthe substantially formed squares 42, 44 are in mirror opposite placementalong the substantial center axis 50 of the critical support layer 14 tothe side 36 c of the substantially formed triangle 36. The void spacebetween each and all of the substantially formed triangles 34, 36, 38and substantially formed squares 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 are the no foamzones wherein pressure and compression forces are reduced for thenon-critical support areas to the back of the head and shoulders.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, support zone 30 allows for gradualsupport with compression and pressure reduction to the tailbone region,arms, elbows and hips. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3, supportzone 30 is comprised of a plurality of substantially formed triangles52, 54, a substantially formed square 56 and substantially formedrectangles 58, 60. There is no requirement in the present invention thatany of the substantially formed triangles 52, 54, substantially formedsquare 56 or substantially formed rectangles 58, 60 have identicaldimension. The substantially formed triangles 52, 54, substantiallyformed square 56 and substantially formed rectangles 58, 60 may actindependent or in concert. The thickness of these substantially formedtriangles 52, 54, substantially formed square 56 and substantiallyformed rectangles 58, 60 as vertical height of each individualidentified angular shapes, is determined by need of actual use and canrange from approximately 1 inch to 6 inches, but is preferablyapproximately 4 inches. The thickness of each substantially formedtriangles 52, 54, substantially formed square 56 and substantiallyformed rectangles 58, 60 does not need to be the same. Referring now toFIG. 3, the substantially formed triangles 52, 54 are divisibly placedalong the substantial center axis 50 of the critical support layer 14.While the dimensions of the sides of each substantially formed triangles52, 54 vary widely in a range of 6 to 20 inches, with specifiedmeasurement dependent on actual use, in the preferred embodiment of FIG.3, the side wall 52 a, 54 a, 52 b, 54 b of each of the substantiallyformed triangles 52, 54 has a length of approximately 16 inches. Thesubstantially formed rectangles 58, 60 are in approximate mirroropposite placement along the substantial center axis 50 of the criticalsupport layer 14. The dimensions of the substantially formed rectangles58, 60 vary in a range of 15 inches to 60 inches per side, withspecified measurement dependent on actual use. In the preferredembodiment of FIG. 3, the substantially formed rectangles 58, 60 eachhave sides 58 a, 58 b, 60 a, 60 b with a length of approximately 46inches. The side lengths 58 c, 58 d, 60 c, 60 d of the substantiallyformed rectangles 58, 60 are of substantially equal or reflectivelengths. The substantially formed square 56 is approximately divided bythe substantial center axis 50, having substantially equal sides 56 a,56 b, 56 c and 56 d. Dimensions of the substantially formed square canvary in a range of 8 inches to 30 inches per side. In the preferredembodiment of FIG. 3, the sides 56 a, 56 b, 56 c and 56 d areapproximately 22 inches in length. The void space between each and allof the substantially formed triangles 52, 54, substantially formedsquare 56 and substantially formed rectangles 58, 60 are the no foamzones wherein pressure and compression forces are reduced for thenon-critical support areas to tailbone region, arms, elbows and hips.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, support zone 32 allows for gradualsupport with compression and pressure reduction to the heels and feet.In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3, support zone 32 is comprised of aplurality of substantially formed triangles 62, 64, 66 and substantiallyformed squares 68, 70, 72, 74, 76. There is no requirement in thepresent invention that any of the substantially formed triangles 62, 64,66 or substantially formed squares 68, 70, 72, 74, 76 have identicaldimension. The of the substantially formed triangles 62, 64, 66 and thesubstantially formed squares 68, 70, 72, 74, 76 may act independent orin concert. The thickness of these substantially formed triangles 62,64, 66 and substantially formed squares 68, 70, 72, 74, 76 as verticalheight of each individual identified angular shapes, is determined byneed of actual use and can range from approximately 1 inch to 6 inches,but is preferably approximately 4 inches. The thickness of eachsubstantially formed triangles 62, 64, 66 and substantially formedsquares 68, 70, 72, 74, 76 does not need to be the same. Referring nowto FIG. 3, the substantially formed triangles 62, 64 are in approximatemirror opposite placement along the substantial center axis 50 of thecritical support layer 14. While the dimensions of the sides of eachsubstantially formed triangle 62, 64 vary widely in a range 6 inches to20 inches, with specified measurement dependent on actual use, in thepreferred embodiment of FIG. 3 the side wall 62 a, 64 a of each of thesubstantially formed triangles 62, 64 has a length of approximately 16inches and a bottom wall 62 b, 64 b length of approximately 16 inches.The substantially formed triangle 66 is divisibly placed along thesubstantial center axis 50. The dimensions of the substantially formedtriangle 66 vary widely in a range 6 inches to 20 inches per side, withspecified measurement dependent on actual use. In the preferredembodiment of FIG. 3, the substantially formed triangle 66 hassubstantially equal sides 66 a, 66 b each measuring a length ofapproximately 16 inches, with side 66 c approximately divided in half bythe substantial center axis 50. The dimensions of the substantiallyformed squares 68, 70, 72, 74; 76 of the support zone 28 vary in a range1 inch to 6 inches per side, with specified measurement dependent onactual use. In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 3, the substantiallyformed squares 68, 70, 72, 74, 76 of the support zone 28 each measureapproximately 4 inches square, with mirror opposite placement along thesubstantial center axis 50 of the critical support layer 14. Thesubstantially formed square 76 is placed divisibly along the center axis50. The substantially formed squares 68, 74 are in mirror oppositeplacement along the substantial center axis 50 of the critical supportlayer 14 in proximity to the side walls the critical support layer 14and the substantially formed squares 70, 72 are in mirror oppositeplacement along the substantial center axis 50 of the critical supportlayer 14 to the side 66 c of the substantially formed triangle 66. Thevoid space between each and all of the substantially formed triangles62, 64, 66 and substantially formed squares 68, 70, 72, 74, 76 are theno foam zones wherein pressure and compression forces are reduced forthe non-critical support areas to the heels and feet.

An alternate embodiment of the present invention is as a mattress whichis intended for use as other than a single size mattress, for example amattress intended for use as a double size mattress or larger.Additionally, it is intended that the scope of the present inventioninclude a resized mattress as a single use cushion, including an affixedfurniture cushion, a portable personal cushion or otherwise. In theseadditional embodiments, dimensions and layout of the angular shapes ofthe critical support layer would vary to accommodate the change inoverall perimeter dimension, but the zones for reduction of pressure andcompression forces would remain the same.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention are set forth in, orwill be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from, thedetailed description, figures and drawings and claims herein. Theaccompanying figures and drawings, which are incorporated herein byreference and constitute a part of this specification, additionallyillustrate an embodiment of the invention. Although a preferredembodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms anddevices, such description is for illustrative purposes only. The wordsused are words of description rather than of limitation. Also, it shouldbe further appreciated that modifications and variations to thespecifically illustrated and discussed features and materials hereof maybe practiced in various embodiments and uses of this invention withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof, by virtue of presentreference thereto. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the presentinvention should not be limited to the description of the preferredembodiment contained herein. Still further, it is to be understood thatdifferent embodiments, as well as different presently preferredembodiments, of this invention, may include various combinations orconfigurations of presently disclosed features, elements, or theirequivalents (including combinations of features or configurationsthereof not expressly shown in the figures or stated in the detaileddescription). Such variations may include, but are not limited to,substitutions of the equivalent means, features, and materials for thoseshown or discussed, and the functional or positional reversal of variousparts, features, or the like. All such modifications and variations areintended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure andthe present invention and protected by the following claims.

1. A mattress for use for the reduction of pressure and compressionforces to a user, said mattress comprising: at least three modularsections for the gradual support of the user, each modular sectionhaving a defined thickness between an upper surface and a lower surface.2. The mattress of claim 1, in which the modular sections are comprisedof a fire retardant material capable of supporting the body of the user,such as foam.
 3. The mattress of claim 1, in which the modular sectionsare comprised of or encased in a material with an anti-microbial means.4. The mattress of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the modularsections may be of any slashed, smooth, egg crate or any other designknown in the industry.
 5. The mattress of claim 1, wherein said modularsections further comprise a plurality of angular shapes for support toareas of the user's body and said modular sections further comprise aplurality of voids to reduce pressure and compression forces on areas ofthe user's body.
 6. The mattress of claim 5, wherein said plurality ofangular shapes are further comprised of shapes in substantially formedtriangles, squares and rectangles.
 7. The mattress of claim 5, whereinsaid plurality of voids reduce pressure and compression forces on theback of the head and shoulders, the tailbone region, arms, elbows, hips,heels and feet of the user.
 8. The mattress of claim 6, wherein saidplurality of angular shapes is further comprised of a series ofindependent shapes divisible position with respect to a center axisdefining halves of said mattress.
 9. The mattress of claim 1, whereinsaid mattress further comprises a substantially center axis defininghalves of the mattress with the plurality of angular shapes divisiblypositioned with respect to this axis.
 10. A mattress for use for thereduction of pressure and compression forces to a user, said mattresscomprising: a top layer having a defined thickness between an uppersurface and a lower surface; and at least three modular sections, eachmodular section having a defined thickness between an upper surface anda lower surface, with said upper surface of modular section being fixedfirmly to said lower surface of top layer.
 11. The mattress of claim 10,wherein said top layer and said modular sections are a single member,capable of manual division.
 12. The mattress of claim 10, in which thetop layer and the modular sections are individually comprised of amaterial capable of supporting the body of the user, such as foam. 13.The mattress of claim 10, wherein said modular sections further comprisea plurality of angular shapes for support to areas of the user's bodyand said modular sections further comprise a plurality of voids toreduce pressure and compression forces on areas of the user's body. 14.The mattress of claim 13, wherein said voids are further comprised ofcavities of air.
 15. The mattress of claim 13, wherein said plurality ofangular shapes are further comprised of shapes in substantially formedtriangles, squares and rectangles.
 16. The mattress of claim 15, whereinsaid plurality of angular shapes is further comprised of a series ofindependent shapes divisible position with respect to a center axisdefining halves of said mattress.
 17. The mattress of claim 10, in whicha bottom layer, having defined thickness between an upper surface and alower surface is fixed firmly to the lower surface of said modularsection, as an intermediate layer between said top layer and said bottomlayer.
 18. A method of preventing, healing and reducing decubitus ulcersand associated injuries comprising placing a user on a mattress assemblycomprising a top layer having a defined thickness between an uppersurface and a lower surface; and at least three modular sections, eachmodular section having a defined thickness between an upper surface anda lower surface, with said upper surface of modular section being fixedfirmly to said lower surface of top layer, wherein said modular sectionsfurther comprise a plurality of angular shapes for support to areas ofthe user's body and said modular sections further comprise a pluralityof voids to reduce pressure and compression forces on areas of theuser's body.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said plurality ofangular shapes of the modular section are positioned with respect to asubstantially center axis defining halves of the mattress.
 20. Themattress of claim 18, wherein said top layer and said modular sectionsare a single member, capable of manual division.